Modernising Business Registers Business Advisory Group key messages 14 December 2020

Welcome and introductions

Rosanne Bell opened the meeting as Chair and apologies were noted.

Action items update

• BAG–27 – The engagement plan was provided to members at the October meeting.
• BAG–28 – Your input into the recent focus groups around Director ID personal details was useful and we value your input. We are on track regarding discussions with Treasury on the draft Director ID Data Standards and Disclosure Framework and expect that public consultation will occur in February 2021. We will keep you advised as we progress towards that stage.

Program update

Law amendments to Division 355 of the Taxation Administration Act 1953 was introduced to Parliament on 1 December 2020 to enable the Registrar to request a tax file number (TFN) from directors, and for the Commissioner of the ATO to provide TFN information to the Registrar.

Government has approved the registry brand, Australian Business Registry Service.

Progress continues to enable Australian Securities and Investment Commission Registry staff to transfer to the ATO through a Machinery of Government shift to support the new registry platform.

Usability testing for Director ID systems is planned for early 2021.

Government review on communications

Program is fully funded (Budget 2020 announcement) and proposed approach in place.

Government has been considering how it can support modernisation of business communications, as part of its deregulation agenda.

Updating director details

Opportunity to comment on user design.

Feedback provided on the ‘tell us once’ principle remaining a priority as part of MBR registers.

Director ID key message development session

Members were asked to identify issues the community will need assistance on to enable them to comply with the Director ID regime. Break out session conducted, and recurring themes included:

• What is the purpose of the Director ID?
• How do I apply?
• Do I really need to do this now?
• What if I don't comply?
• Do I need multiple Director IDs depending on my roles (personal companies vs professional vs not-for-profits)?
• Will the Director ID be used for other purposes?

Other business

A decision was made and announced at the design working group to postpone wholesale Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and instead align their release with the individuals’ authentication via third party digital identity program. Discussion took place and how commercial software supports adoption.

Software providers remain at the centre of our consultation to ensure APIs and other releases achieve Program benefits.